Fitting for steam-heating systems.



PATENTED OCT. 18, 1904.

0; A. BALL. I

I FITTING FOR STEAM HEATING SYSTEMS.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 8, 1903.

N0 MODEL.

UNITED STATES Patented October is, 1904.

PATENT ()FFICE.

CHARLES A, BALL, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

FITTING FOR STEAM-HEATING SYSTEMS- SPEGIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N0. 77 2,859, dated October 18, 1904.

Application filed May 8, 1903. Serial No, 156,193. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES A. BALL, a citizen of the United States, residing at Washington, inthe District of Columbia, have invented new and useful Improvements in Fittings for Steam-Heating Systems, of which the following is a specification, 4

My invention relates to fittings for the return side of radiators, steam-coils, and other similar articles, and is more particularly designed for use in steam-heating systems wherein a circulation is created and maintained by means of an exhaust apparatus, such as a vacuum-pump, operating through the returnpipe of the system.

The object of my present invention is to provide an improved automatic means for the relief of air and water of condensation, the relief of air and water being alternative, the latter being accomplished by means of a tube shaped like a siphon, alternately opened and closed by means of a float, which at the same time alternately closes and opens an air-relief located in the short leg above the waterof-condensation level. This object I accomplish in the manner and by the means hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, in which the figure is a central vertical sectional view ing or return pipe of the system, the top of said casing being closed by a bonnet-piece 4. Located within said casing and, having its lower end fitting in and closing the outlet-aperture 3 is one section, 5, of a tube correspondshort distance above a flat seat 7 on the long leg 5, the latter for a purpose hereinafter to be described. The upper end of leg 6 is closed by a nut 8, centrally apertured at 9 to receive andguide the stem of an upwardly-opening check-valve 10, seated in the upper end of leg 6. Located in one side of said leg 6 near its upper end is an air-relief aperture 11, the same being well above the water-of-condensation level and being substantially thesame in function as the air-relief shown and broadly claimed in Letters Patent No. 641, 179, granted to me January 9,1900. Surrounding the short leg 6 is a float 12, adapted to rest when in its lowermost position on the flat seat 7 on the long leg 5, thus closing the lower end of the short leg 6, and also adapted when lifted by the water of condensation to engage a depending ring 13, formed on the under side of the upper end of the long leg 5, thus cutting off the air-relief aperture 11.

From the above description the operation of my improved device will be understood to be as follows: When first operating the system, the action of the exhaust apparatus or vacuum-pump in the return side will extract the cold air from the fitting and its radiator or steam-coil through the air-relief aperture 11, thus inducing a circulation of steam in the radiator with consequent condensation. This air-relief through aperture 11 will continue until suflicient water of condensation has accumulated in the casing 1 to lift the float 12, which will then assume the position shown in dotted lines, contacting with the ring 13, thus shutting off access to aperture 11 and at the same'time uncovering the lower end of short leg 6. The suction exerted on the long leg 5 of the tube will immediately cause said tube to function, thus withdrawing the bottom and cooler stratum of water in the casing 1, which action will continue until the float 12 begins to sink, when by again uncovering aperture aperture 11 and water through the tube will thus continue during the operation of the system.

I prefer to so constitute the float 12 that it will have very little buoyancy and will not rise until more than half submerged.

The function of the check-valve 10 is to prevent any possible back flow of water due to the cutting off of steam from the radiator and consequent back action from the vacuum thereby temporarily created in the radiator, as fully set forth in Letters Patent No. 702,336, granted to me June 10, 1902.

While I have described my invention as more particularly designed for use in systems employing an exhaust apparatus in the return side thereof and wherein exhaust-steam is utilized as the heating agent, still the fitting is equally well adapted for use in a pressure or live-steam system, the operation of the siphon-tube being insured in both instances by the difierence in pressure on opposite sides of said tube, whether caused by suction or exhaust on the return side thereof or by livesteam pressure on the radiator side thereof.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

l. Afitting for the return side of a steamheating radiator or coil, comprising a closed chamber, means shaped like a siphon for removing therefrom into the return-piping the water of condensation and air, and means for breaking the Water-removing action to maintain the Water of condensation at a predetermined level in said fitting.

2. A fitting for the return side of a steamheating radiator or coil, comprising a closed chamber, means shaped like a siphon for removing therefrom into the return-piping the Water of condensation and air at different levels, and means whereby the establishing of either of these means of discharge will cut ell the other means of discharge.

3. Afitting for the return side of a steamheating radiator or coil, comprising in combination a casing, means shaped like a siphon for removing the water of comlcnsation and air from said casing, said means being provided with an aperture above the water-o f-condensation level, and means governed by the water of condensation for opening and closing said aperture as the water-of-eomlensation level varies within said casing.

4:. A fitting for the return side of a steamheating radiator or coil, comprising a tube therein shaped like a siphon for discharging therefrom into the return-piping the water of condensation, an air-relief in said tube above the water-of-condensation level, and a float whose upward movement cuts off said air-relief and whose downward movement establishes said air-relief.

5. A fitting for the return side of a steamheating radiator or coil, comprising a casing, a tube shaped like a siphon whose long leg affords the only means of communication with the return-piping and whose short leg depends in said casing, said short leg being provided with an air-relief aperture near its upper end, and a float encircling said short leg and adapted when lifted to cut oil said air-relief aperture.

in testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

CHARLES A. BALL.

\Vitnesses:

JAS. A. HARD, (nr. \V. MANcnns'rnn. 

